By the time I get into the car, I’m feeling relaxed and ready to take on this final challenge of the year.
“Ready?” Freya asks when we’re ten minutes out from the arena.
She’s got pre-game plans with Casey and her parents, but before that can happen, we’ve got a little announcement for our friends.
“Ready,” I agree, glancing over just as she taps the send button, sharing our favorite selfie from this afternoon with our group chat.
Freya video called her parents the second we got home to give them the news.
Watching them sob with happiness down the line made me feel a range of emotions. The fact that they were that happy about their daughter marrying me blew my mind.
Of course, they both knew it was coming. There was no way I was asking Freya to marry me without seeking permission from her father first.
While I may be skeptical of being good enough for Freya, I was fairly confident that Brian would give me his blessing. And he did, after a very awkward—on my part—man hug from him.
“They’re opening it,” Freya says. “Oh my god, someone is typing.”
As we close in on the arena, she reads out every message that comes through.
“I think they’re happy about it,” she exclaims as I take the final turn and head into the arena’s parking garage.
A laugh erupts out of me. Okay, so maybe I might have given a clue about what was happening when I asked Casey’s advice on something.
“Yeah, I think they might be.”
Pinned to the wall of my parking spot is a congratulations banner, and standing waiting for us are all our friends with wide smiles.
The second we’re out of the car, we’re engulfed by them.
Happiness races through my veins as I accept congratulations from my teammates and their girls.
“As fun as this all is,” Fletch says after a few minutes, “we’ve got a fucking cup to win.”
As all the guys cheer and begin to head inside, I snag my girl’s hand and tug her into my body. Cupping her jaw, I gaze into her eyes, aware that others are watching but not giving a single fuck.
“I love you, Whirlwind.”
“I love you, too, Cole. Stanley Cup Finals,” she muses. “I’m so proud of you.”
My chest tightens, and my heart aches. I’m not sure I’ll ever get bored with hearing that.
“Win or lose, I’ll be right there to celebrate all your successes. Always.”
My eyes burn, and a lump clogs my throat.
“You’re my everything,” I force out.
She smiles up at me. “And you’re mine. Now go out there and show the world just how freaking awesome my fiancé is.”
“You got it, baby.”
“Handsy, come on,” Rett calls from the doorway. “If you don’t get in here, Coach will cut off Freya’s favorite part of you.”
The guys laugh as I reluctantly turn around and head off.
When I get to the door, I glance back over my shoulder to see Freya surrounded by the women still gushing over her ring and listening to her every word.
Movement to her left catches my attention, and I look over to find Brian smiling at me.
